A significant landslide struck a crucial highway in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday morning, severely disrupting connectivity in the region. The incident occurred on the Srinagar–Baramulla–Uri highway, specifically on the Baramulla stretch of National Highway-1 (NH-1).
Landslide Halts Traffic, Motorists Seek Safety
Officials confirmed that the landslide involved large rocks and substantial amounts of soil cascading down the mountainside. Dramatic footage shared by the Press Trust of India captured the moment of the slide, showing motorists quickly moving to safer ground to avoid the falling debris. The event led to an immediate stoppage of all vehicular movement on this vital arterial road.
Kashmir Gripped by Intense Winter Chill
The landslide adds to the challenges posed by a severe cold wave currently enveloping the Kashmir Valley. The region is experiencing dense fog across multiple areas, while its higher altitudes continue to receive heavy snowfall. This period marks the heart of Chilla-e-Kalan, the traditional 40-day phase of harsh winter where night temperatures frequently drop well below the freezing point.
Meteorological conditions have intensified the cold. Despite forecasts predicting mainly dry weather in the near future, clear skies on Thursday night caused minimum temperatures to fall further. This follows fresh snowfall on Wednesday night in popular tourist destinations including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, as well as other upper regions.
Sunshine Brings No Relief from Biting Cold
Interestingly, the clear skies and sunshine have contributed to a sharper drop in mercury levels across the Valley. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed a sunny morning but recorded a significantly lower temperature. The city's minimum temperature plunged to 0.1°C, a notable decrease from the 2.2°C recorded the previous night.
The combination of the disruptive landslide on a major highway and the ongoing extreme winter conditions underscores the difficulties faced by residents and travelers in the region during this season. Authorities are likely engaged in clearance operations to restore traffic on the strategic NH-1.
